^^8 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
LMakch 20. 1897. 
Proprietors of jMving resorts will find it profitable to advertise 
them in Forest and Stream. 
QUEBEC GAME AND FISH TERRITORIES. 
Department of Lands, Forests and Fisheries, Quebec, 
Marcli 11. — Editor Forest and Sl/ream: Several of your 
fellow-countrymen who are no doubt desirous of acquiring 
exclusive liunting and flshiag rights in this Province over 
certain sections which our laws allow the G-overnment to 
lease out, after having previously erected them into hunting 
and fishing territories, frequently write me for information. 
I hope you will allow me to make use of your paper to 
answer their questions, as it is read throughout the United 
States by all sportsmen, and by publishing my answers you 
will convey information not only to those who write directly 
to us, but also to all to whom the same may be of interest. 
I will be as brief, as concise and as clear as possible, an- 
swering each question put to me. 
1. To whom must, applications for leasing a hunting terri- 
tory, a salmon river or any lake be sent? 
Always to the Commissioner of Lands, Forests arid Fisher- 
ies, at Quebec. 
3. Oa what conditions can leases be effected? 
The conditions vary according to the extent of territory, 
its proximity to means of communication, and the intrinsic 
value of the territory whose lease is applied for. 
3. In what parts of the Province are the best lakes for fish- 
ing and the best salmon rivers? 
The best salmon rivers are those of tlie Gaspe Peninsula 
and Labrador, which flow into tlie St. Lawrence on the north 
and south. There are also some which fl.ow into the Sague- 
nay. All these rivers are well known to American fisher- 
men. 
The best lakes for fishing are those in Labrador, in the 
Lake St. John district; in the counties of Ottawa and Pon- 
tiac, in the district of Temiscouata, and in the region north 
of Montreal. They contain an abundance of speckled trout 
{Salmo fontinalis), gray irout [Salmo conjvnis), touladi, bass, 
etc. 
4. In what parts of the Province of Quebec are the best 
hunting territories situated? 
Li Labrador, the counties of Ottawa and Pontlac, the 
Temiscouata region, the county of Charlevoix, the G-aspe 
Peninsula and the Matapedia Valley, where there are num- 
bers of moose, caribou, red deer and smaller game. Moose 
and red deer are found in abundance, especially in the 
counties of Pontiac, Ottawa, Montcalm, Terrebonne, Temis- 
couata and generally throughout the region comprised be- 
tween Lake Temiscamingue to the west and the Saguenay 
and Lake St. John to the east. There are a good many also 
in the Gaspe Peninsula and tbe Shick- Shock Mountains. 
Caribou, both woodland and ban-en ground, exist in large 
numbers, the former in rear of Quebec, about Lake St. John, 
in Temiscouata, and in Saguenay as far as Newfound- 
land, Labrador; the latter in the upper regions of Canadian 
Labrador, adjoining the vast plains of Hudson's Bay. 
Woodland caribou are especially abundant in the counties 
of Saguenay, Charlevoix, Montmorency and Chicoulimi on 
the north, and in Gaspesia and the Shick-Shocks and Temis- 
couata on the south shore of the St. Lawrence. 
Canadian Labrador — that is to say, that portion comprised 
between the Saguenay on the west and the 57ih mer- 
idian on the east— contains the most valuable fur-bearing 
anijmals, from the shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the 
south to the parallel of 53° 10' on the west and near 56^ on 
the east. In this region are found the marten, pekan, 
beaver, gray wolf, black bear, mink, wolverine, lynx, black 
fox, silver fox, cross fox, otter, etc. 
5. Can the lessee of a hunting or fishing territory ibvite his 
friends to come and hunt or fish with him without their 
being compelled to take out a permit or pay for a license? 
Undoubtedly. For all hunting and lishing purposes dur- 
ing the open season the lessee is master of his own territory, 
and may invite whomsoever he pleases to share his pleasure 
and amusements without his guests having to pay for 
licenses, whether they do or do not reside in the Province. 
6. " What rights are conferred by the lease? 
The lease gives the lessee the exclusive right to fish and 
hunt in the territory leased to him during the open season. 
7. What extent of territory can be leased for hunting pur- 
poses? 
A hunting section cannot be greater than 400 square miles, 
but there is nothing to prevent any individual, company or 
club from leasing several sections. Sections of 10, <iO, 30, 
40, 50, 100, 200 or 300 square miles can also be leased. 
8. What is the cost per square mile of hunting territories? 
Everything depends on the location of the land selected, 
but it cannot be less than $1 per square mile. If the terii- 
tory contains a considerable number of large game, such as 
moose, caribou and red deer, and if it is easy of access, as 
much as $10 per square mile may be charged. The territories 
most easy of access are those along the Canadian Pacific, the 
Temiscouata, the Pontiac, the Gatineau Valley, the Interco- 
lonial, the Grand Trunk and the Lailce St. John rail way s^ 
By the Canadian Pacific one can reach the region north of 
Montreal and the upper Ottawa. The Pontiac and the Gati- 
m au Valley railways run through territories containing con- 
siderable numbers of large game. The Temiscouata takes 
the hunter into the center of a region where caribou and red 
deer abound. The Intercolonial gives easy access to the 
Matapedia Valley. The Grand Trunk takes one through the 
Eastern Townships, where there are also great numbers of 
large game. The Lake St. John Railway runs through the 
district of that name, which is already so advantageously 
known to the public. The .Jardinp, in the county of Charle- 
voix, are reached by the steamers of the Richelieu c% Ontario 
Navigation Co. and by tbe colonization roads opened by the 
Government. Labracior is reached by steamers running- 
weekly between Quebec and the north shore of the St. Law- 
rence. 
Of course, in a letter like this I atn compelled to restrict 
myself to general information, but I will always be at the 
disposal of those who may wish for more details. Moreover, 
I will in a future letter revert to this special and. very im- 
portant subject. 
9. For how long are the leases? 
They cannot be for less than two nor for more than ten 
years. 
10. When, where and to whom are the rents paid? 
The rent is paid on signing the lease and every year after- 
ward at the same date, at Quebec, to Ifhe Commissioner of 
Lands, Forests and Fisheries. 
11. Can the lease be transferred? 
The lessee may sublet, sell his rights or transfer his lease ; 
but such transfer or sale is subject to the approval o£ the 
Government. 
12. Have the lessees the privilege of cutting timber needed 
for building their houses, for fuel, etc., on lands belonging 
to the Crown? 
Yes. 
13. Have lessees the right to take to the United States the 
game Rilled or fish caught by them? 
Beyond a doubt, provided the hunting and fishing have 
been within the open season. 
But, Mr.. Editor, this letter is already long enough. Next 
week 1 will answer other important questions bearing on 
the subject. L. Z. Joncas, 
Superintendent-General of Game and Fisheries. 
PENNSYLVANIA GAME AND FISH 
WARDEN. 
The PennsyIvVAnia Fish PROTECTrvE Association, 
PhttjAdelphia. — Bditor Forest and Stream: We are work- 
ing for the defeat of a bill eotitled 'An Act to appoint a 
Game and Fish Warden^ and to prescribe his power and 
duties," now before the Legislature. If enacted one warden 
will be appointed to the otfice by the Governor, who reports 
to the Governor, Auditor-General and State Treasurer, and 
is not responsible in any manner to the Game and Fish 
Commissioners. He appoints all deputy wardens and ap- 
parently handles all moneys relating to his work, without the 
power of veto by tiie Commission. The jjowers delegated to 
him are dangerous and may prove inimical to the fish and 
game interests. The Fish Commission has accomplished loo 
much good work for any friend of fishculture or protection 
to assist in striking a blow which will certainly impair or 
destroy their future usefulness. M. G. SEiiLBRS, Sec'y. 
In comment upon the above communication, Mr. James 
H. Worden, ex-president of the State Sportsmen's Associa- 
tion, writes as follows: 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
This article in many instances is misleading; in order to 
justify, the action of the supporters of this measure, and 
that every citizen of this State may have an opportunity 
to judge of the merits of this act, I mail you herewith 
a copy of the bill. Will you kindly publish the bill, 
that every citizen having an interest in the protection of 
both fish and game in this State may have the opportu- 
nity of examining its provisions, enabling him to intelli- 
gently address the member and senator of his district 
for or against the passage of this act. 
As one of the supporters of this act, I hope the widest 
publication of the two communications will be given the 
weekly and daily press of this State, that the sentiments 
and wishes of the people of this State may be voiced on 
this subject. 
During the past ten years the Board of Fish Commis- 
sioners of this State have had appropriated to them 
$204,000, $42,000 of which was specifically appropriated to 
them for water bailifis; and I believe it would be interest- 
ing to many citizens of Pennsylvania if the writer of the 
article referred to would have kindly made some authen- 
tic statement of the number of arrests and convictions se- 
cured, the number of cases of violations, etc., investigated, 
and the amount of fines imposed and collected as the re- 
sult of this expenditure, rather than to have made the 
sweeping assertion "that the Fish Commission had accom- 
plislied too much good work for any friend of iishculture 
or protection to assist in striking a blow which will cer- 
tainly impair or destroy their future usefulness." 
There is no one who has a higher personal regard of the 
ability, integrity, honesty of purpose and usefulness as 
citizens of this Commonwealth than the writer of the 
gentlemen composing the Board of Fish Commissioners. 
But I do claim that their system of protection is anti- 
quated, selfish, inoperative and expensive, which I propose 
to prove by this article. 
Notwithstanding the fact that a large majority of the 
citizens of this State interested in both the protection of 
game and fish are dissatisfied with the present system, 
they insist on continuing it upon a more elaborate and ex- 
pensive method bj^ asking the State to empower them to 
appoint a water bailifiT in each of the sixty-seven counties, 
at a fixed salary of $10 each per month and reasonable 
expenses. 
Computing this at the lowest possible fixed basis, it will 
create an annual expense of not less than $17,000, or three 
and a half times greater than at present, and this for the 
protection of fish alone. 
The game and fish warden act, now known as the Bald- 
win act for the protection of fish and game, which, as your 
readers will see, limits the annual expense to the State to 
$6,000 and furnishes 212 fish and game protectors. A sec- 
retary for both the Ga'me and Fish Commissioners, whose 
duty it is under the direction of these two commissions to 
render their annual reports to the Governor in detail, 
establishes an office in the State to which every citizen 
can appeal for any information desired relating to game 
and fish, and. to which they can report any violations of 
the game and fish laws, which, under the provisions of 
this act, must be promptly investigated. All the appoint- 
ments of the warden are made subject to the approval of 
the Board of Fish and Game Commissioners in joint ses- 
sion met; he handles no money except that which is paid 
to him and his 'deputies upon warrants, which must be 
verified under oath. His plenary powers are just to all 
law-abiding citizens; the person who willfully violates the 
game and fish laws of any State is an outlaw, and the 
powers conferred to meet such violations must be strong 
enough to place the warden on a physical par with the 
violator. To attempt to combat this upon the feeble score 
that he might not use the powers delegated to him with 
discretion at times is as absurd as it would be to oppose 
the appointment or election of certain other necessary 
officials. There is little doubt that on the passage of this 
act the Governor would soon have a list of eligible, capable 
men from which to choose. 
An act similar to this has been in successful operation in 
Michigan for the past ten years, and I quote a brief synop- 
sis of the workings of this act, taken from the fifth biennial 
report of the State game and fish warden of the State of 
^Michigan, in which he reports for the years 1895 and 1896 
as follows: Violations investigated, 1,788; arrests made, 
I, 007; convictions secured, 814; amount of fines and costs, 
$12,831.33; seized $100,000 worth of illegal nets— all of 
which was accomplished at a cost to the State of Michigan 
for the years 1895 and 1896 of $10,506.90. And to ofiset 
this the State's receipts arising from prosecutions, etc., 
were $12,831.33, or $2,324.42 more received by the State 
than the cost of conducting the operations of this system. 
Kindly compare this system with the one now being 
operated by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Draw 
your own conclusions from an impartial standpoint as to 
which you consider the best system. 
Believing there are none who recognize more Ijeenly and 
considerately the very creditable work that has been ac- 
complished in the past by the Fish Commissioners in 
propagating and distributing certain game fish and food 
fish than does the writer and the many supporters of the 
Baldwin act, we do claim, and that without fear of 
successful contradiction, that the Baldwin act does provide 
a better system of protection than the one now being 
operated to the detriment of this valuable Commission 
and the people of this State. 
There is no system of successful protection, that has 
ever been operative, that did not require the personal at- 
tention of some one to direct the work of the department. 
Quoting from the State warden of Michigan, he says: 
"Whatever success the warden has had is due to the fact 
that he has devoted his personal attention to the work, 
conducting prosecutions both in justices' and circuit courts, 
where local prejudices or other causes made it seem desir- 
able to appear in person, and endeavoring not to shirk his 
share of the disagreeable work of tramping through the 
woods for violators, or spending nights upon lakes and 
streams to catch netters and spearers. A chief who takes 
no personal interest in his work will not inspire the proper 
zeal in his subordinates, and, in my opinion, the law 
should compel the warden to give his whole time to the 
oflice, having no other business." This the Baldwin act 
does. 
It is beyond the province of the acts creating the boards 
of game and fish commissioners, serving as they do with- 
out compensation, to either expect or compel them to give 
their personal attention to the proper patrolling and pro- 
secution of this work. 
The purport and intention of the Baldwin act is not to 
destroy the usefulness of these two commissions, or in any 
manner to interfere with their good work, and it is unfair 
and unjust to assume that the Governor of this Common- 
wealth would appoint a person who would be antagonistic 
to the workings of these two commissions; but, on the con- 
trary, is it not fair to presume that he would zealously 
guard against the selection of such a person, and aim to 
appoint one whose every efibrt would be to assist them in 
every particular. 
By an act of this nature we unite every organization, as- 
sociation, club, corporation and individual interested in the 
protection of our game and fish. In doing this we also 
create a more advanced, less expensive and more successful 
system of protection, and will also harmonize and cultivate 
a uniform interest in which all will aid in furthering the 
work of these departments. It is with the purest motives 
and the most honest convictions that we submit this com- 
munication for the consideration of the public and the 
friends of better protection. .Iames HI Worden. 
The Game-Warden Bill. 
An act to provide for the appointment of a game and fish. -warden, 
and to prescribe his powers and duties. 
Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., that from and after the passage of 
this act, it shall be the duty of the Governor to appoint some person, 
a resident of this State, game and fish warden. Said warden shall 
hold office for four years, or until his successor has been appointed 
and qualified, unless removed for cause by the Governor; he shall 
receive a salary of SI. 800 per annum, payable monthly, and shall also 
be reimbursed his actual expenses necessarily incurred by him while 
engaMd in the performance of his duties, to be paid on the warrant 
of th^Luditor-General, monthly, on the approval of his vouchers 
therefor. 
Skc. 3. It shall be the duty of said game and fish wardien to devote 
all his time to the position to which he is appointed, and he shall not 
be engaged in any other business or vocation while filling this posi- 
tion. He shall be secretary of the boards of game and fish commis- 
sioners, and he shall occupy as his permanent headquarters the room 
assigned the game commissioners at the Capitol in Harrisburg; it 
shall further be his duty to collect, classify and preserve all such 
statistics, data and information as in the judgment of either board 
will tend to promote the objects of their department. He shall take 
charge of and keep all reports, books, papers and documents which 
shall in the discharge of their or his duties hereunder come into 
their or his possession, or under their or his control. He shall make 
the annual reports to the Governor as required under the direction 
of the game and fish commissioners. 
Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of said game and fish warden to seize 
all nets of illegal mesh found in use in the waters of this Slate, and 
all nets and other fishing apparatus or appliances found in use in 
violation of the laws of this State ; and to enforce the statutes of this 
State for the preservation of all insectivorous and game birds and 
game mammals; and to enforce all other laws of this State for the 
groteetion and propagation of birds, game and flsb, now in force or 
ereaf cer enacted ; and to bring or cause to be brought, and to prose- 
cu e or cause to be prosecuted, actions and proceedings iu the name 
of this Commonwealth to punish any parties for the violation of said 
statutes and laws. Such actions and proceedings may be brought in 
tbe name of the Commonwealth in the like cases, in the same courts 
and under the same circumstances as they may now or anytime 
hereafter be brought by any individual or by the presecuting attor- 
neys of the several counties, under and by virtue of any laws now ex- 
isting or hereafter enacted. 
Sec. 4, Said warden may make complaint and cause proceedings to 
be commenced agamst any person for the violation of any laws for 
the protection or propagation of game or fl-h n ithout the sanction 
of ttj6 prosecuting attorney of the county in which such proceedings 
are commt need, and ID such case he shall not be obliged to furnish 
security for costs. Said warden may also appear for the Common- 
wealth in any court of competent jurisdiction iu any case for viola- 
tion of any of the laws for the protection or propagation of fish (Sv 
game, and prosecute the same va the same manner and with the same 
authority as the prosecuting attorney of the coimty in which such 
proceedings are commenced. 
Said warden shall have power to search any person, and exam Ine any 
boat, conveyance, vehicle, fish box, fish basltet, game bag or game coai, 
or any other receptacle for game or fish, when he has good reason to 
believe that he will thereby secure evidence of the violation of the 
law ; and any interfeience or hindrance, or attempt at interference or 
hindrance, with such search or examination shall be jorinia facie evi- 
dence of a violation of the law by the party or parties who hinder or 
interfere with, or attempt to hinder or interfere witb, such search and 
examination. 
Said game and fish warden shall at any and all times seize and take 
possession of any and all birds, animals or fish which have been 
Caught, taken or killed at a time, or ia a manner, or for a purpose,, 
or had in possession or under control, or have been shipped contrary 
to any of the laws of this State ; such seizure may be made without a 
warrant. 
Any court having the jurisdiction of the offense, upon receiving 
proof of probable cause for believing in the concealment of any bird, 
animal or fish caught, taken, killed, had in possession, under control, 
or shipped contrary to any of the laws of this State, shall issue a 
search warrant and cause a search to be made in any place ; and to 
that end may cause any building, inclosure or car to be entered, and 
any apartment, chest, box, locker, crate, basket or package to be 
broken open, and the contents thereof examined by said game and 
fish warden. 
All birds, animals or flgh, or nets or fishing appliances or apparatus, 
seized by the game and fish warden shall be disposed of in such a 
manner as may be directed by the court before whom the offense is 
tried, or by any court of competent jurisdiction. 
Said game and fish warden shall not be liable for damages on ac- 
count of any search, examination or seizure, or the destruction of any 
